Engine

Trans

Color

Interior

Estimate

Highlights

Original and unrestored with the exception of minor paint work on the right side only

36,000 original miles

Documented by Roger Gibson

All original sheet metal and the majority of its Tor Red original paint

Documented ownership history since new

One of 284 4-speed Hemi Cudas produced in 1970

Original matching number drivetrain

Excellent original floors, trunk floor and extensions

Date coded suspension and mechanical components

Excellent original seat covers, carpet, seat belts and headliner

The tires were changed once and the car sits on 1976 dated Goodyear Polyglas tires

426/425 HP Hemi engine

Dual 4-barrel carburetors

4-speed manual transmission

Hurst Pistol Grip shifter

Factory Shaker hood car

A34 Super Track Pak with 4.10 gears

Power brakes

Black bucket seat interior

Rallye wheels

Original and unrestored with the exception of minor paint work on the right side only

36,000 original miles

Documented by Roger Gibson

All original sheet metal and the majority of its Tor Red original paint

Documented ownership history since new

One of 284 4-speed Hemi Cudas produced in 1970

Original matching number drivetrain

Excellent original floors, trunk floor and extensions

Date coded suspension and mechanical components

Excellent original seat covers, carpet, seat belts and headliner

The tires were changed once and the car sits on 1976 dated Goodyear Polyglas tires

426/425 HP Hemi engine

Dual 4-barrel carburetors

4-speed manual transmission

Hurst Pistol Grip shifter

Factory Shaker hood car

A34 Super Track Pak with 4.10 gears

Power brakes

Black bucket seat interior

Rallye wheels

This 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda represents an incredible rarity in the world of muscle cars. It is an unrestored, original, 36,000-mile, matching-numbers, 4-speed Hemi Cuda in Plymouth’s Hi Impact color of “EV2, Tor Red.” Every aspect has been validated by Mopar expert and restorer Roger Gibson as well as another noted Hemi authority. Each owner in the car’s well-preserved history is documented and the original fender tag has never been removed and remains in excellent condition.

This R-code Hemi was built at the Hamtramck Assembly plant in Michigan and was exported to its first owner, Robert Krocker in Winnipeg, Canada, who drove the car only in dry weather. The second owner was Allen Werbicki who was located in the same town. Werbicki cared for the car until 1984 enjoying it only sparsely under clear conditions. Werbicki would sell it in 1984 to Brian Hemmingson of Florence, Oregon, who would preserve the car for the next 11 years. Under Hemmingston’s ownership it was stored in a fully climate-controlled building. Old correspondence indicates that Mr. Hemmingson was a knowledgeable and precise collector and had validated the car’s originality at the time of purchase. Hemmingson sold the car in 1995 to Kent Snowden in Washington State. Mr. Snowden wrote a letter stating that the motor had never been removed from the car and that it was a true time capsule upon purchase and throughout his stewardship. Snowden sold the car in 1999 to noted Mopar collector Joe Arrotta, who was the President and owner of various car dealerships including Spokane-Chrysler Plymouth in Washington State. The car was purchased from Arrotta by its current owner in 2001 after a long search to find an original, unrestored, Hemi 4-speed Cuda in a desirable color, without a vinyl top. The current owner has maintained the vehicle for almost 15 years.

Upon purchase, the car was accompanied by a lengthy report from the Chrysler Registry. The authenticating expert was quite impressed with the car and had taken more than 200 reference photos documenting every aspect of the vehicle during his inspection. The only item of significance was that early in its life, the car had lightly scraped the side of a transporter when being unloaded; this was thought to have happened when the car was delivered new to the original dealership. It was also noted that the side was repainted in an “orange-peeled” manner and ought to be repainted to match the quality of the original paint on the rest of the car. The inspection report documents that the car had most all of its original paint, original fender tag, all original date-coded glass and mirrors, seat covers, mint-condition headliner, carpet, heater box, seatbelts, carburetors, alternator, distributor, intake manifold and matching-numbers engine block, transmission and rear end. Additional items noted with proper factory date codes were the fuel pump, heater blower motor, exhaust manifolds, K-frame, torsion bars, starter, drive shaft, lower control arms and rear shock absorbers. As a testament to its time-capsule mantra, the tires were changed only one time, and today it sits on those very tires which retain their original date codes of: June 1975 (one tire) and November 1976 (three tires). It possesses the original date-coded spare and never-used spare-tire-inflator canister.

Upon his purchase in 2001, the current owner sent the car to Mopar expert Roger Gibson. Gibson rechecked every code on the car and repainted the right side of the vehicle, also doing some spot blends where battery acid or brake fluid had damaged the paint. Mr. Gibson thoroughly cleaned the bottom of the car, and one is encouraged to peek under the center floor section and the front wheel-wells to note the incredible factory-preserved aspects of the car. While at Gibson’s, for the first time in the car’s history, the engine was removed and torn down for new gaskets, seals and a full evaluation. When checking the cylinder bores, Mr. Gibson noted that wear to the bores ranged between .006 and .008…wear rates almost unheard of for a 1970 Hemi car. As a result, new piston rings were ordered and the block was left un-bored from its original factory machining. It is interesting to ponder how many Hemi-powered cars retain an original “never-bored” block today. The answer to that question helps bring to light the true uniqueness of this car. The trunk floor as well as the trunk extension are also to be noted for their incredible original condition, and the car boasts all original factory sheet metal.

This car represents a unique time capsule, never abused, neglected or driven hard—as so many of these cars were. This 4-speed Hemi Cuda is a well-documented, world-class unrestored car in a highly desirable color. It would be a cornerstone car to any collector’s high-end Mopar or muscle-car collection.

Brochures

Information found on the website is presented as advance information for the auction lot. Photos, materials for videos, descriptions and other information are provided by the consignor/seller and is deemed reliable, but Mecum Auction does not verify, warrant or guarantee this information. The lot and information presented at auction on the auction block supersedes any previous descriptions or information. Mecum is not responsible for information that may be changed or updated prior to the auction. The decision to purchase should be based solely on the buyers personal inspection of the lot at the auction site prior to the auction.

Catalogs

Information found on the website is presented as advance information for the auction lot. Photos, materials for videos, descriptions and other information are provided by the consignor/seller and is deemed reliable, but Mecum Auction does not verify, warrant or guarantee this information. The lot and information presented at auction on the auction block supersedes any previous descriptions or information. Mecum is not responsible for information that may be changed or updated prior to the auction. The decision to purchase should be based solely on the buyers personal inspection of the lot at the auction site prior to the auction.